U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education was created in 1980 by bringing together offices from several other departments. Its mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. As part of its responsibility for collecting data on America's schools and disseminating that research, USED houses and supports organizations that provide research, evaluation, and statistics, including the following:
Institute of Education Sciences (IES): The main agency for research, evaluation, dissemination, statistics and guidance to further evidence-based policy and practice. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ies/index.html
National Center Education Statistics (NCES): The main federal organization for collecting and analyzing education data. http://nces.ed.gov
National Assessment of Educational Progress-- What America's students know and can do in academic subjects. http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard
Policy and Program Studies Service-- Analyzes education policy and evaluates education programs. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ods/ppss/reports.html
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education-- Innovative projects for improving postsecondary education. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/fipse/index.html
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-- Research on the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of disabled individuals of all ages. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html
Organizations sponsored by the Office of Special Education Programs-- Research related to special education. http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/resources.html
National Research and Dissemination Centers for Career and Technical Education-- Focus on career and technical education information. http://www.nccte.com